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Tag: rumors

For just one small moment, let’s take a look at this trade called journalism. I thought this was to be based on some facts. Possibly an interview or two. Maybe even some research that was based in fact.

That is not what I see about Mr. J. Edgar Hoover and his private life. The people who are out there making claims and attempting to ruin the good reputation of the father of law enforcement are doing all of this based on the desire to make headlines and money.

Plenty articles and books are being written. And now the latest: Hollywood’s dubious attempt at capturing history through the movie “J. Edgar.”

Unfortunately, they’re not based on fact, but rather speculation and conjecture.

It is a shame. They need to remember there is no larger rumor mill than the Special Agents of federal law enforcement. Law enforcement knows rumors. But hearing rumors and publishing them are two different things. Sure, rumors know no bounds. That’s where journalists are supposed to come in; to separate the fact from the fiction, the rumor from the reality.

Interestingly, all those years and not one one rumor — at least not one published one — until more than ten years after the man died? Unfortunately, Mr. Hoover cannot respond.

WASHINGTON — Expect a game of musical chairs over at FBI headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue now that the number two person John Pistole has left the agency and Timothy Murphy, the number three person, has replaced him.

Nothing has been announced yet, but the rumors are circulating. Here’s one set of rumors — and I emphasize “RUMORS” at this point.

Kevin Perkins/fbi photo

Thomas J. Harrington, the FBI’s number four person, might take over the number three spot that had been occupied by Murphy.

Now here’s the part that gets interesting. Under the rumor scenario, Shawn Henry, a rising star in the FBI, who took over the Washington field office as the assistant director in charge early this year, might return to headquarters and replace Harrington as the Executive Assistant Director over Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch.

Then Kevin Perkins, who heads up the Criminal Investigative Division at headquarters, would head up the Washington field office. At this point, it’s only rumors.

Timothy Murphy/fbi photo

Michael Kortan, the FBI’s chief spokesman at headquarters, declined to comment on Monday. And some of the agents, who are subject of the rumors, did not immediately respond to emails for comment.

Pistole’s departure set the stage for what’s to come. He was recently confirmed as head of the Transportation Security Administration.